Bartholomew County 4-H Fair’s midway came alive on the fair’s opening night.
For many of the fairgoers walking along the midway, its sights and sounds are part of a beloved tradition going back generations.
“She lit up the minute we walked from the car,” said April Hess of North Vernon as she stood beside the merry-go-round, waving to her granddaughter, Ava Rouse. “I thought, that’s what the fair means to you.”
The fair officially opened at 5 p.m. Friday, and just as the sun was beginning to set, crowds arrived at the midway.
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Parents with strollers, couples hand-in-hand and young teenagers meeting up with friends all came out to try out the rides and carnival games.
For one family, even the most basic fair activities are a novelty.
“We don’t have county fairs at home; we’re from the big city,” said Shanna Williams.
Williams, her husband Jon, and their two songs, Colton and Parker, are from Phoenix, Arizona.
For the past four years, they have traveled to Bartholomew County every year for Independence Day to be with family and light off fireworks, which doesn’t happen in Phoenix because of dry conditions and fire dangers.
Fair scheduling works out well for them, Jon Williams explained, since fair week happens so close to July 4.
As part of the tradition, all four members of the Williams family buy new pairs of cowboy boots each year to wear to the fair.
In addition to dressing the part, family members also make sure to visit the food booths for ice cream, funnel cakes and lemonade shake-ups.
Visitors aren’t the only ones who enjoy the midway — those who work amid the rides such as Jan Jessop Burton, of Shirley, also were having fun Friday night.
She has worked at fairs all her life, but Burton said she never gets tired of seeing the look on children’s faces when they see the bags of cotton candy inside her booth.
“It’s fun to see the kids. Their eyes get real big, they can’t believe it,” Burton said, laughing. “That’s the age of innocence.”
Everything from Cajun food to fried Oreos is available to try, and lines for both food and ride tickets grew as the night went on.
Jacynda Corya, 12, and Ariel Roberts, 13, both of Columbus, eagerly tore tickets apart to share with a group of friends who were heading out to the rides.
The fair is an opportunity to see friends when school is out, they said, and enjoy the activities offered all week.
Teenagers frequented the midway, but the games, rides and foods of the midway are especially a magnet for young children.
One game, where contestants toss ping pong balls into bowls of water, offered winners a chance to win goldfish and lizards.
Carter Battin tossed a ball into a bowl on his final try. His brother, Chandler, tackled Battin into a congratulatory hug before he claimed the coveted prize.
While victory was sweet, Battin said even with his bagged goldfish in hand, his priority was to get back to the rides.
His younger sister, Cambri, felt the same — -this was her first year to ride a roller coaster, she said, and she was ready to get in line.
It was a sentiment echoed by many children on the midway racing to wait in line, with parents or grandparents in tow.
That was certainly the case for Ella Hardwick, 9, and her grandmother, Sharon Calhoun.
Hardwick enthusiastically pulled her grandmother by the hand from ride to ride, equally enthusiastic about each.
Although she lives in Florida, Hardwick is spending a few weeks with Calhoun in North Vernon.
It is the longest span of time they have gotten to spend together, Calhoun said, and she is taking advantage of it.
“We are enjoying it. We’re having fun,” Calhoun said as Hardwick wrapped her arms around her waist in a hug. “I’m enjoying my granddaughter.”
For Calhoun and others visiting the midway, the appeal of the county fair can be enjoyed by all generations.
Merle and Suzy Milhoan of Edinburgh brought their grandchildren, Rory Jaggart and Jackson Ryan, to experience the excitement.
“It’s a tradition for me. My family used to come every year,” Suzy Milhoan said. “I was out here, my kids were out here, and now they (the grandchildren) are out here.”
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Midway regular ticket prices are $1 each, 20 for $18 and 60 for $50. The midway opens at 5 p.m. each day. 4-H members may purchase one wristband for $10 during the fair week any day wristbands are offered. During regular midway operations, most rides cost three to five tickets.
Special Midway promotions during the fair:
Today: $1 per ride
Tuesday: Community Day, from 2 to 4 p.m., Midway is closed to the public and those with disabilities ride for free. At 5 p.m., $23 wristbands are available or one free ticket per donated canned good.
Wednesday: Kids Day, $15 wristbands
Thursday: Family Day, $18 wristbands
Friday: Midnight Madness, regular tickets until 10 p.m., $12 wristbands until 1 a.m.
Saturday: $23 wristbands
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Today
7 a.m. to 11 a.m. — 4-H sheep, beef, starter calf and dairy steer check-in. Check-ins subject to change pending weather.
9 to 11 a.m. — Open Class Flowers entries due, Family Arts Building
9 to 11 a.m. — 4-H flowers, beekeeping, crops and gardening check-in
1 p.m. — Lil’ Wrangler Swine Show, 4-H Gilt Show, as well as Open Carcass to follow
5 to10 p.m. — Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open
5 p.m. — Midway opens
5:30 to 6 p.m. — Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Farm Bureau Building (registration at 5 p.m.)
6:30 p.m. — Horse & Pony, open arena
7 to 8 p.m. — Columbus Clogging Company – Farm Bureau Building
7 p.m. — Columbus City Band – David Boll Theatre
7 p.m. — Truck Drags – Side by Side Dirt Drags, Grandstand
Tuesday
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. — Market Lamb weigh-in, Livestock Barn
10 a.m. — 4-H Barrow Show and Showmanship – Pavilion
2 to 4 p.m. — Community Day at the Midway, children and adults with physical or mental disabilities can ride free from 2 to 4 p.m. Midway is closed to public.
5 to 10 p.m. — Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial buildings open
5 p.m. — Midway opens
6:30 p.m. — Horse and Pony 4-H Fun Show and 4-H Costume Class
7 p.m. — Blacksmithing Demonstration, Heritage Building
7 p.m. — Frog Jumping Contest, Farm Bureau Building, registration at 6:30 p.m.
7 p.m. — Chordlighters Barbershop Quartet, David Boll Theatre
7 p.m. — Midwest Three-Quarter Racing League (practice at 6 p.m.), Grandstand
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